As conference championship weekend approached, I couldn’t bear the thought of staying on the couch for a second straight Saturday. So, I kidnapped Mrs. Tailgate and headed to the UC Davis second-round FCS playoff game against Illinois State. UC Davis entered the game ranked #5 in the FCS, enjoying one of the best seasons in program history.
We met up with old friends from our former California hometown for a pregame tailgate. They’re part of a UC Davis Super Fan group, and the vibe was lively. The early December weather was picture-perfect, with temperatures near 60°F and slightly overcast skies. It was my third visit to UC Davis, and the on-campus UC Davis Health Stadium, which opened in 2007, never fails to impress.
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| UC Davis Tailgaters |
The Aggies were led by All-American running back Lan Larison, who is in the midst of a record-breaking season. Despite being favored by 11 points, the Redbirds drew first blood, scoring the opening touchdown. But their momentum was short-lived as the Aggies’ offense ignited. Quarterback Miles Hastings threw for over 400 yards, while the defense employed a “bend-don’t-break” strategy, surrendering yardage but allowing only 10 points. UC Davis dominated, winning 42–10, and advanced to next weekend’s quarterfinals against the University of South Dakota.
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| Top L- R - Aggies on the move. Larison gets a breather, Aggies take the filed, the "Banda" is back! |
As if one game wasn’t enough, I ended the night at the NorCal Division 2 State High School Championship. The high school in my new town, just four years old, defeated a team from Santa Clara, earning a spot in the California State Championship next Saturday. Let’s just say I slept well that night.
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| The Twelve Bridges Rhinos take Nor Cal State! |
Around the Country
This weekend marked conference championship showdowns for all nine conferences:
On Friday, Boise State, powered by Ashton Jeanty’s standout performance, defeated UNLV 21–7 to claim the Mountain West title and secure a guaranteed invite to the College Football Playoff. Jeanty has my vote for the Heisman. Boise will play in the Fiesta Bowl on December 31 in Glendale, Arizona.
Army, led by QB Bryson “Captain America” Daily, dominated Tulane to win the AAC Championship and earned a spot in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. I personally think Army should have been considered for the playoffs, but perhaps I am biased.
Jacksonville State, coached by our old friend Rich Rod, routed Western Kentucky 52–12 to claim the Conference USA title.
On Saturday, the Power Four games delivered real entertainment:
Big 12: Arizona State rode the talents of Cam Scattebo and Sam Leavitt to crush Iowa State. The Sun Devils, earning a first-round playoff bye, will play in the Peach Bowl on January 1.
SEC: Georgia edged Texas in an overtime thriller, 22–19. Georgia will also enjoy a first round bye and will play in the Sugar Bowl on January 1st.
Big Ten: Oregon outlasted Penn State in a high-scoring shootout, 45–37. Oregon is the number one overall seed going into the playoffs earning a bye and will play New Years day at the Rose Bowl.
ACC: Clemson scored a victory over SMU with a 56-yard game winning field goal, 34–31. Clemson will play in a first round playoff game at Texas on December 21st.
Other Group of Five action saw Marshall overwhelm Louisiana 31–3 in the Sun Belt championship, while Ohio bested Miami (Ohio) to claim the MAC crown.
College Football Playoff Bracket
Bieber Award
It’s annual soapbox time!
As the regular season concludes, we’re seeing the annual migration of players and coaches leaving their teams early. Whether it’s portaling, chasing bigger NIL payouts, or accepting coaching gigs elsewhere, this trend is disheartening. If you’ve committed to a program, finish what you started—especially for bowl games.
For players, leaving prematurely should come with consequences, like repaying scholarships or NIL earnings. For coaches, bolting before the season concludes should result in forfeiting their entire year’s paycheck. It’s unacceptable to abandon the team before completing your commitments. This week’s Bieber Award goes to the culture of “quitters” in college football.
Ginger Award
A longtime blog follower recently shared uplifting NIL stories. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard has been using his NIL money to support teammates who didn’t receive NIL deals, and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutzman has done the same for walk-ons.
While I’m still skeptical of NIL’s long-term implications, stories like these showcase its potential for good. Kudos to these players—and others like them—for putting their teammates first.
Next Up
Mrs. Tailgate and I are heading back east for the Army-Navy game next Saturday. We’ll be tailgating with a mix of Army and college friends. If you haven’t seen Army play this year, tune in to watch Captain America in action.
Happy Tailgating!
Great blog Mr. Tailgate. I look forward to seeing you and Mrs. Tailgate after the Army-Navy game next weekend. Go Army beat Navy!! Guess who?
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